The content of bioactive compounds in raspberry fruit and leaves depending on the cultivation method

This abstract emerged as one of the outstanding research within the oral Session on Sustainable food systems and quality at the CASEE Scientific conference 2021. YPARD held a scientific competition that was tagged "Empowering young researchers of the Danube region in sustainable food systems" within the CASEE conference 2021.

The competition aimed to support the continued professional and personal growth of young professionals attending the CASEE Conference. The top three posters and the top three oral presentations related to sustainable food systems were selected. 

Enjoy reading the abstract!

Authors: A. Ponder, E. Hallmann - Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland, Warsaw, Poland.

Raspberry fruits are a perfect source of polyphenols, including flavonols, anthocyanins. Some experiments have indicated that organic fruits contain more bioactive compounds than conventional fruits. The research presented in this paper was aimed at determining the impact of organic and conventional farm management, harvest time and cultivar on the content of bioactive compounds and selected nutrients in raspberry fruit and leaves. In this study compared the concentration of bioactive compounds in organic vs. conventional raspberries and to determine the effects of cultivar. Three cultivars of raspberry (‘Laszka’, ‘Glen Ample’ and ‘Glen Fine’) were harvested in summer time and one ‘Polka’ cv. was harvested in autumn time. The organic raspberry fruits contained significantly more polyphenols. The organic samples contained significantly more phenolic acid and flavonoids, including myrycetin, quercetin, luteolin and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside. Harvest time was an important factor in raspberry fruit quality. Moreover, the second aim of this experiment was to identify and determine the polyphenolic, chlorophylls and carotenoids in the leaves of selected raspberry cultivars and their in vitro activity. Organic leaves were characterized by a significantly higher content of polyphenols; moreover, the organic leaves were characterized by higher antioxidant activity than conventional ones. However, conventional raspberry leaves contained more carotenoids and chlorophylls. In addition, in this experiment was to compare the content of vitamin C, sugars and organic acids in organic vs. conventional raspberries and to determine the effects of cultivar on the contents of these compounds. 24 Fruits from four raspberry cultivars ('Laszka', 'Glen Ample', 'Glen Fine' and 'Tulameen') were collected in the summer and fruits of the 'Polka' cv. were collected in the autumn. The conventional raspberries grown in the first year of the experiment contained a significantly more vitamin C and dehydroascorbic acid content compared to organic raspberries. We observed an effect of the cultivar on the organic acids content in raspberry fruit. ‘Laszka’ cv. and ‘Glen Fine’ cv. fruits contained significantly more total organic acids and citric acid compared to the other experimental cultivars. However, the in the second year of the experiment ‘Tulameen’ cv. was characterized by the highest levels of total sugars and sucrose content. Due to the high content of biologically active compounds and high health-promoting potential, raspberry fruit and leaves should be part of a healthy diet. 

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Picture credit: A. Ponder